Sister dies after brother's suicide

A CO Clare family has been left devastated following the death of a teenage girl just weeks after her brother died in similar circumstances.

The 17-year-old from Clonlara, Co Clare, died almost 10 weeks to the day after her 18-year-old brother took his own life.

The body of the Limerick secondary-school student was found near the family home last Saturday afternoon, close to where her brother was found on January 13th.

It is understood that the father of the teenagers discovered the bodies on both occasions.

The brother and sister were the youngest in a family of five children who are well known and well liked in the locality. "The shock in the village is unbelievable," said one local man.

The girl was buried yesterday at Doonass Cemetery and is survived by her parents, sisters and brother.

The teenager had set up a web page on the Bebo internet site last month in memory of her brother, whom she described as her best friend.

Limerick TD Dan Neville, who is also president of the Irish Association of Suicidology, yesterday offered his sympathy to the bereaved family.

"I would like to sympathise with the family at this time," Mr Neville said. "I hope over time some healing out of the trauma will take place.

"In Limerick there are two organisations who have expertise in suicide bereavement - Console and Living Links. They assist those bereaved by suicide in the region."

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times